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How To Write For Television
TV Writing the Right Way!
In this guide for every student of the small screen and every scriptwriter dreaming of breaking into the business, writer-producer Madeline DiMaggio hands you the tools of the trade. With dozens of examples from today's hit shows, as well as perennial classics, DiMaggio walks readers through the scriptwriting process, from learning how to watch TV like a writer to developing your script, pitching it, and eventually sealing the deal. DiMaggio answers the questions on every aspiring television writer's mind, with chapters
DiMaggio combines her own experience with advice to writers from others in the trade, including agents, producers, animators, and more. This readable, reliable book has been a trusted reference for nearly two decades and is now revised to include the most up-to-date information from today's television climate, from writing for cable, reality, and TV-movie formats to the ever-evolving face of the sitcom. A must-read for anyone aiming to write for TV, How to Write for Television will continue to help budding writers reach their small-screen goals and will prepare them for working in the rapidly changing world of TV.
In this guide for every student of the small screen and every scriptwriter dreaming of breaking into the business, writer-producer Madeline DiMaggio hands you the tools of the trade. With dozens of examples from today's hit shows, as well as perennial classics, DiMaggio walks readers through the scriptwriting process, from learning how to watch TV like a writer to developing your script, pitching it, and eventually sealing the deal. DiMaggio answers the questions on every aspiring television writer's mind, with chapters
DiMaggio combines her own experience with advice to writers from others in the trade, including agents, producers, animators, and more. This readable, reliable book has been a trusted reference for nearly two decades and is now revised to include the most up-to-date information from today's television climate, from writing for cable, reality, and TV-movie formats to the ever-evolving face of the sitcom. A must-read for anyone aiming to write for TV, How to Write for Television will continue to help budding writers reach their small-screen goals and will prepare them for working in the rapidly changing world of TV.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Shelved as 'skimmed'
September 30, 2021Skimmed this while going through my books on the craft of writing. As implied by the cover, the references are dated to the 1980s (pub date 1990). The author draws a lot on personal experience—per the bio she wrote 30 hours of episodic television, som TV pilots and a few Movies of the Week (remember those?) and feature films. She shares lengthy and detailed examples throughout, including sample scripts with notes.
There did seem to be some timeless storytelling advice, such as on developing characters and plotting, though nothing that isn’t covered in most books on writing fiction. I imagine many of the basic principles of writing for television remain the same, though there are likely more commercial breaks that would impact storytelling (her simplistic half hour plot outline includes one commercial break at the midpoint.)
Over a third of the book is devoted to writing movies, specifically television movies which seem increasingly obsolete in the age of streaming services. Although also slightly dated, I think Blake Snyder’s book Save the Cat! is stronger on screenwriting for movies. It’s more concise and thorough, and offers more specific advice on structure and plotting.
There did seem to be some timeless storytelling advice, such as on developing characters and plotting, though nothing that isn’t covered in most books on writing fiction. I imagine many of the basic principles of writing for television remain the same, though there are likely more commercial breaks that would impact storytelling (her simplistic half hour plot outline includes one commercial break at the midpoint.)
Over a third of the book is devoted to writing movies, specifically television movies which seem increasingly obsolete in the age of streaming services. Although also slightly dated, I think Blake Snyder’s book Save the Cat! is stronger on screenwriting for movies. It’s more concise and thorough, and offers more specific advice on structure and plotting.
November 10, 2017
Madeline DiMaggio's book offers a healthy balance between craft guidance and trade advice in her book on writing for TV. She explains the unique particulars of writing for the TV medium while also devoting later chapters to the subject of breaking into the business.
November 26, 2010
The sample material may be dated (1990), and cable opportunities were just taking off, but the structures discussed, and real-world advice is current. Madeline takes you through sit-coms, dramas, two-hour movies, and all of the steps before you write your script. She offers her personal story of how she got into writing, when things worked well and when they didn't, and things to consider before collaborating. She also uses real scripts, as well as her own two-hour movie script, for an in-depth discussion of the story structure.
There is lots of good reference information, a list of the top marketing questions she's received through the years (and the answers to them), and two great interviews with writer Mitchell Stein and cable content developer Alene Terasaki.
I enjoyed this book and found the information very useful.
There is lots of good reference information, a list of the top marketing questions she's received through the years (and the answers to them), and two great interviews with writer Mitchell Stein and cable content developer Alene Terasaki.
I enjoyed this book and found the information very useful.
December 28, 2008
It's probably best to learn contemporary things from books with contemporary computers on the cover...
January 1, 2012
Very useful information.
May 5, 2012
I enjoyed this book. I wanted to learn something on writing but the scoop on television was very insightful. Very easy to read, funny as hell, and lots of worldly advice.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews